The Helicopter Revolution

The helicopter, a Russian model, made its debut in the Lithuanian Border Guard in 2000. However the Baltic operator soon made the switch to Eurocopter, purchasing two EC120s in 2002 followed by two EC135s and an EC145 in early 2006.

© Eurocopter/P. Penna
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The first EC130 B4 operated in Lithania.

In the light of European Union security requirements, the Lithuanian Border Guard helicopters are mainly used in border patrol missions. Crews have recently received special training, and are now ready to perform law enforcement duties under the auspices of the Lithuanian Interior Ministry. These teams may also go on to tackle marine Search and Rescue (SAR) and air rescue missions in the near future.
The arrival of the helicopter has revolutionized Lithuanian Border Guard missions. The aircraft have proven to be spectacularly reliable tools, indispensable equally to border surveillance and law enforcement missions. Featuring Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR) and an SX-16 searchlight, the helicopter can fly both day and night with ground patrol assistance, with the spacious cabin ensuring a comfortable flight for patrol and canine teams.
According to feedback from Vilnius, “Eurocopter aircraft perfectly match our mission requirements. However, certain areas for improvement need to be addressed urgently, i.e. spare parts delivery, warranty information, and parts ordering procedures, which are often determining factors when purchasing a helicopter.”


_AUTHOR : MONIQUE COLONGES



© Lithuanian Border Guard
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The Lithuanian EC135s mainly operate border patrol missions.


© Lithuanian Border Guard
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